I’m in my second semester as a sophomore, which means I’m almost halfway done, scary! So far this semester has been pretty good. I have selected a major, and minor, all I have to do is declare it! I will be majoring in music along with a minor in sociology and anthropology! If I am not too overwhelmed and have the time I will double major with the two studies.
The courses I am currently taking are MATH 160 (Finite Mathematics), which I really enjoy because I love math and my professor’s teaching style, plus it really helps to have a good math professor! I am also taking SOAN 240 (Deviance), the course is interesting. Finally, I am taking 3 music courses: MUSC 160 (Musicianship), 360 (Music History), and piano lessons. I am thankful for musicianship because I feel that the class keeps me brushed up with basic theory skills, which is what I need to retain and strengthen my knowledge of theory. I like practicing sight singing/reading in the class. Music History is kicking my hiney, but I really am glad I’m taking it now and getting it over with, instead of waiting to take it later when all my other courses are just going to get more challenging and a bigger workload. I’m taking this course not only because it’s a requirement for music majors, but also because of the professor who is teaching it. She isn’t easy, but she is very straightforward with what she expects from her students. The course is pretty intense, and a load of information, but I have to do what needs to be done! I have to say the Antiquity and Medieval was my least favorite! We are about to finish up the Renaissance Era, which was a little, but hopefully the Baroque Era will be better! Lastly is piano, which is very delightful! My piano teacher is great!
What else is new… we just finished Spring Break, which was AMAZING! I took the train from Chicago to New York City, both ways, which by looking at the number of hours we would be on the train made it seem dreadful, but really it was so relaxing! I went with some of my good friends, Jaime, Melanie, Joao, Bobby, and Mimi. The time on the train we all basically spent sleeping, eating, and watching lots and lots of movies, which was totally fine! This was not my first time to go to New York City, but it was different because we were on our own for a whole week!
While in New York we stayed at the Wellington Hotel on 7th and 55th street, which was sweet because we were smack dab in the city, right in between Central Park and Times Square! I got to visit with Caitlyn, Shannon, Elizabeth, and Sarah! It was great to see all of them and to catch up! We also visited and saw all the main tourist places and attractions, such as Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty- or as Joao calls her, “the big green woman”- , the Empire State Building, Central Park, the M&M store, the Rockefeller Center, Times Square, SOHO (and NOHO), Brooklyn and Queens! We also did a scavenger hunt in NYC, which was a blast! It was girls versus boys, and of course we won, even with the boys getting the 50 pointer, which was a picture of a famous person… they got a picture of the naked cowboy in Times Square.
As we got more and more accustomed with the city and how to get around, I felt more and more like a “New Yorker,” it was a neat feeling! I love how the subways run 24-7 and you can catch a ride within a few minutes! I was very entertained by people watching! I also really like all the walking we did! The streets are always busy and packed with people, but I enjoyed that because I like the quick pace walking!
Overall it was truly an incredible experience! It made my friends and I realize that we don’t really take advantage of our city, Chicago, although we do aim on visiting our beautiful city more often than the usual. Chicago is such a phenomenal city, plus it’s cleaner, and the people are nicer than in New York City. With that said, I still do plan on visiting NYC more often too, even though it is pretty expensive!
Now it’s back to reality, which isn’t so bad, I guess. On Wednesday we find out the room selection for the Cleveland-Young dorm! Unfortunately, Laura will not be my roommate again next year because she is going abroad first semester and interning in Latin America second semester, so I won’t see her for a whole year. I was lucky enough to find Catherine to be my roommate! I’m really looking forward to that, I think that we will get along quite well! We are hoping to get the only room in CYIC with a private bathroom; it also has 3 huge windows in the room! Next year will definitely be different since majority of my friends will be studying abroad and doing internships, which means my friends will be coming and going. It will be interesting to see what next year really turns out to be like.
That’s it for now folks, until next time!
